Knowledge of Dog Health Symptoms

Nothing is worse than discovering your pet has a serious illness, and finding that if you had gotten attention earlier, it would have been less severe. Sometimes the smallest change in personality or behavior can signal the onset of an illness, so knowing what is and is not normal for your pet can be essential. When you see something abnormal, it can be helpful to know some basic things to watch for.

Always remember that early detection of health problems is a key in successful treatment. To detect things early pay attention to even small changes in personality or behavior. For instance if your pet is normally outgoing and friendly and all the sudden is hiding beneath the furniture or whining when you pet him that is a good indication he may be sick. The better in tune with your pet you are the better health detective you will be. You will also be prepared with times and dates should your veterinarian need them.

When it comes to dog health blood in urine is something that you should keep an eye out for. This can be be an indication of kidney disease or kidney failure, and as such, requires immediate veterinary assistance. If you notice that there is blood in your dog's urine, you'll find that you should take him to the veterinarian immediately. Quick action at this point can save your dog's life, so don't delay.

Another common complaint among pet owners is vomiting. Dogs will do this mildly when they have eaten something that does not agree with them. Like the time my mini-pin ate a battery. However if you notice repeated vomiting with fever or pain symptoms it is more than likely a health issue. Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of stomach ulcers or a more serious ailment. No matter the cause, the effect on your pets' health can be devastating since she could dehydrate very quickly. In severe cases, pets have died from dehydration.

When looking for symptoms of poor health in your dog do not overlook their coat. A dogs coat should feel thick and look relatively glossy. If you reach down to pet your dog and find that the coat is oddly dry and brittle or there are bald patches you should check into the cause. One common cause of a bad coat is worms; this parasite robs the dog of nutrition and therefore leaves the coat unhealthy. Of course, if you have a dog whose hair is naturally coarse, like a wirehaired terrier then this rule does not apply.

These a few basic health problems can easily be detected when you know what to look for. In conclusion, take the extra time to interact daily with your pet and pay attention to the little things. You never know when you may inadvertently save your dogs life by noticing symptoms of failing health early.

-->